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Fire Restaurant at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives Earns 2024 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award of Excellence

Kuda Villingili Resort, Maldives (July 2024) — Fire Restaurant has been honored for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Awards, which celebrate the world’s best restaurants for wine.

Fire Restaurant at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives Earns 2024 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award of Excellence

“We are immensely delighted to receive the Wine Spectator’s 2024 Award of Excellence,” said Amjad Thaufeeq, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili. This award is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing our guests with an outstanding dining experience and a wide range of wine choices. Our wine program is designed to cater to both connoisseurs and casual wine lovers, ensuring that every guest finds something to enjoy.”

“The restaurant industry is growing and thriving, with restaurant openings surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. To take advantage of the uptick, restaurateurs are re-investing in their wine programs,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator. “Restaurants that make wine a priority are what the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program is all about. I’m pleased to congratulate all 3,777 restaurants for their dedication to wine and exemplary wine lists.”

Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence, and the Grand Award, with 2,150; 1,531; and 96 winners this year in each respective category.

Fire Restaurant has won the Award of Excellence

The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.

About Fire Restaurant, Kuda Villingili Resort, Maldives

FIRE is inspired by the all-time classic American steakhouse experience, and the concept explores the art of grilling meat to perfection. A team of talented chefs, under the guidance of Executive Chef Lalith Sharma, delivers the finest prime-cut meat plated succulently alongside mouthwatering condiments and a selection of homemade sauces. This fine-dining experience is enhanced further with organic, free-trade certified, and free-range ingredients sourced from around the world. Each plate served is a heartily rich enhancement of timeless flavors. Nestled within the chic and well-balanced ambience of The Restaurant, Fire opens for lunch and dinner while the salty breeze and the gently lapping waves perfect this partially overwater experience.

The Wine list at Fire is intended to reflect the diversity of producers’ terroirs and grape varietals, showcasing an exquisite selection of wines ranging from classic to rustic and modern to vibrant. A particular importance was given to ensuring a balanced and generous sampling of the diverse flavors of both the Old World and the New World with exceptionally high quality and value, encouraging guests to experiment throughout their stay.

About Kuda Villingili Resort, Maldives

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives is an exclusively private island, promising guests of all ages and personalities the opportunity to redefine time and space and the independence to discover themselves while strengthening bonds of togetherness and creating unique experiences. Located at a convenient 30-minute speedboat ride in the picturesque North Male Atoll, this picturesque slice of paradise offers 75 spacious villas sprawled on the beachfront and over the turquoise lagoon. The resort offers a diverse array of gastronomic experiences, from casual Hawker-style to fine dining on the beach, with three diverse dining venues and three unique concepts sure to appeal to everyone’s taste buds.

About Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms, and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily, and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.

The Qureshi Brothers: Upholding Five Generations of Culinary Excellence at Spice, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives

The Qureshi Brothers

Ajaz and Asif Qureshi, members of the well-known Qureshi family of chefs, embody the culinary brilliance of Indian cuisine. Representing five generations of culinary excellence in Indian cuisine, the Qureshis are synonymous with the rich flavors of Mughlai and Awadhi delicacies. They are the current chefs in residence at Spice, the brilliant restaurant specializing in Indian cuisine at the Kuda Villingili Resort, Maldives. Ajaz is a Chef De Cuisine, whereas Asif is an Executive Sous Chef at the resort – their ultimate goal is to promote Indian cuisine to a global audience and uphold the rich legacy of their family.

Fish dish

Q. Can you tell us about your early experiences with cooking and how you were introduced to the culinary world?

Ajaz: From a young age, our home was always filled with the aromas of rich spices and delicious dishes being prepared. Knowing that our grandfather, Haji Ishaq Qureshi, cooked for Queen Elizabeth in the royal kitchens of the Nawabs was incredibly inspiring. Our father, Ishtiaq Qureshi, and our uncles, Ismail and Yameen Qureshi, were our first mentors. They taught us the basics and the importance of passion and dedication in cooking.

Asif: Our introduction to cooking was very hands-on. We spent a lot of time in the kitchen, observing and helping our family prepare meals. It was an immersive experience that ingrained in us the traditions and techniques of Mughlai and Awadhi cuisine. Each generation had added something unique to our family’s culinary story, and we felt a strong desire to continue that tradition and uphold the high standards set by our ancestors.

2. What sets Mughlai and Awadhi cuisine apart, and how do you incorporate these traditions into the menu at Spice?

Ajaz: Mughlai and Awadhi cuisines are renowned for their intricate flavors and elaborate preparation methods. At Spice, we honor these traditions by sourcing the finest ingredients and adhering to authentic cooking methods that have been passed down through generations in our family.

Asif: We ensure that every dish reflects the essence of Mughlai and Awadhi cuisine—balancing flavors, textures, and aromas to create a dining experience that is both memorable and true to our roots. It’s about more than just food; it’s about celebrating a culinary legacy that spans centuries and continues to inspire us every day in the kitchen.

Q: What can guests anticipate from their dining experience at Spice, and how do you maintain authenticity in each dish?

Ajaz: At Spice, guests can anticipate an immersive dining experience that evokes the ambiance of the royal Mughal and Awadhi kitchens. From the moment they arrive, they’ll encounter a warm and inviting atmosphere that complements the richness of our cuisine.

Asif: Our menu is meticulously curated to showcase the pinnacle of Mughlai and Awadhi delicacies, from the aromatic biryanis to the succulent kebabs. It’s a harmonious blend of history, flavor, and hospitality that we are honored to share with everyone who joins us at Spice.

Q: How do you adapt your culinary expertise to meet the varied tastes of guests at Kuda Villingili Resort?

Ajaz: At Kuda Villingili Resort, we approach catering to diverse palates with a blend of versatility and respect for our culinary heritage. Understanding that our guests come from various cultural backgrounds and preferences, we ensure our menu offers a wide range of choices while maintaining the authenticity of our dishes.

Asif: Our culinary expertise allows us to create dishes that appeal to different tastes without compromising on quality or authenticity. Whether it’s adapting traditional recipes to incorporate local ingredients or offering vegetarian and vegan options, we strive to exceed the expectations of every guest.

Dish 2

Q: As representatives of the esteemed Qureshi family, how do you maintain the tradition of culinary excellence in Indian cuisine at Kuda Villingili Resort?

Ajaz: As members of the Qureshi family, we carry a legacy of culinary excellence that spans generations. At Kuda Villingili Resort, we uphold this tradition by infusing every dish with the same dedication to quality and authenticity that our family is renowned for. In all the work we do, whether it’s preparing menus for our restaurants or events, we maintain the same level of commitment and passion that has defined our family’s reputation over generations.

Asif: Ultimately, our goal at Kuda Villingili Resort is to provide an unparalleled dining experience that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our guests, embodying the spirit of excellence that defines the Qureshi family legacy in Indian cuisine. We take pride in introducing the diverse and vibrant flavors of India to guests from around the world.

For more information, contact:

Shikha Mishra, India PR Representative, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives
Email: IndiaPR@kudavillingili.com / shikhamishraPR@gmail.com
Mobile & WhatsApp: +9109871104464